Arkansas Man Saws Off Leg In Front Of 5-Year-Old Daughter: Affidavit

BOONE COUNTY, AR — An Arkansas man is facing a child endangerment charge after authorities said he cut off his own leg in front of his 5-year-old daughter using a chop saw, according to a probable cause affidavit and other reports.

Shannon Cox, 48, and his wife, Sandy Michelle Cox, 30, were both taken into custody last week and charged with one count each of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, a Class D felony, according to court documents. NBC News reported the charge against Shannon Cox.

In court documents outlining the charge against Sandy Cox, investigators explained how police were called to the Cox home on the morning of Aug. 2. When police arrived, they found Shannon Cox "lying in front of the residence naked, missing a portion of his right leg," according to the affidavit. When asked how he was injured, Shannon Cox said "a chop saw."

While walking through the home, officers noticed blood splattered on the walls and floor. According to court documents, a portion of Shannon Cox's leg was "in place still lying on the saw."

Shannon Cox was taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital for treatment.

According to investigators, Shannon Cox's daughter was present during the incident. Police later located Sandy Cox, who had left the house without her daughter to stay with a friend, the affidavit states.

Later that day, investigators interviewed Sandy Cox, who told them her husband had been acting odd. She said "he was telling her that she was Jesus Christ" and "needed to get right with the lord," according to investigators. Shannon Cox also called himself Satan and threatened to "twist her head off" and continued to make verbal threats, Sandy Cox told police. As a result, she left the residence because she was "scared Shannon would kill her."

When asked why she didn't take the child with her, Sandy Cox said she was worried about her husband hurting her and not their daughter, the affidavit states.

While speaking with the child, she told investigators she was present when her father cut off his leg, according to court documents. Investigators said the little girl appeared to "still be in some state of shock."

Investigators also found other dangerous materials on the Cox's property, including a 20-pound propane cylinder laying on top of a car battery. "I also noted there were ashes inside the vehicle and the rear passenger window was broken out," investigators wrote in the affidavit.

NBC affiliate KARK reported the judge in the case issued a no-contact order against Shannon Cox for the child and his wife. Both are due back in court in October.